Community
LEAP
LEAP (Language Empowers All People) is a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to research-driven language and literacy development in under-resourced communities.
LEAP provides direct-service programming for students, and in-person and virtual training workshops for teachers and parents. All LEAP programming aims to help children and young adults improve their oral language and age-appropriate interpersonal skills needed to become fluent readers and effective communicators. LEAP's staff of certified speech-language pathologists partner with schools and community-based agencies to deliver its cadre of programs.
The organization's work is relevant to CLX because all of LEAP's programs are delivered in partnership with schools and community-based organizations. LEAP's reach has traditionally grown through word-of-mouth and from recommendations by teachers and administrators. LEAP's programming is complementary to many out of school curricula, and joining the CLX would provide both LEAP and other CLX partner organizations, an opportunity for collaboration.
LEAP's early childhood programs include the Beginning with Babble app that prompts caregivers to make simple and effective adjustments throughout their day that increase their language interactions with their young child. Beginning with Babble is for parents and caregivers of children ages birth through five. Language Through Science and Language for Emergent Readers are two early childhood programs that have both a classroom curriculum and a professional development component for early childhood teachers. Both of these programs draw from LEAP’s published preschool curriculum - Building Language Throughout the Year.
Programs for middle school students and young adults are LEAP's Language for Scholars and Language for the Workforce programs, which teach effective communication and executive functioning skills to young adults. Language for the Workforce specifically helps young adults with work-related communication skills to help them find and retain employment. All of the programming that LEAP provides is tailored to each of LEAP’s program partners and their students’ needs.
A video describing Language for Scholars can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
A video featuring students who recently participated in this program can be viewed here: